£7.4m has now been awarded towards ultra low-emission buses in the first round of the Scottish Ultra Low-Emission Bus Scheme, the Scottish government has revealed.
The funding will support the introduction of 41 ultra low-emission buses across five successful bids. The winners are First Glasgow, Xplore Dundee, Orkney Islands Council, McGill’s Buses and Ember Core.
As part of a ‘green recovery’, 35 of the 41 vehicles are to be built in Scotland, supporting jobs and the wider Scottish supply chain. The money will also go towards infrastructure to support the running of ultra-low emission buses across Scotland.
Says Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson: “The Scottish Ultra Low-Emission Bus Scheme is providing economic stimulus to help drive a green recovery, responding to the climate emergency while improving air quality. I’m pleased that 35 of these new buses will be manufactured in Scotland, helping to support jobs and our bus manufacturing sector.
“To help support bus operators and passengers, we’re also providing up to £109m to increase and maintain bus services and £10m for bus priority infrastructure measures. In addition, we have maintained concessionary travel payments and Bus Service Operator Grants at pre-coronavirus COVID-19 levels and have provided £9.75m to fund exhaust retrofits and help with the costs in moving to Low Emission Zones.”
